Gene Banks League

Foundation

Gene Banks League

Foundation

About

The Gene Banks League Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1995, officially called, “The Gene Banks League”, and was birthed in San Antonio, Texas. It originated as The Gene Banks Fiesta League, because of its mission to bond Hispanic and African-American disenfranchised youth together, and formulated mentorship, teaching opportunities, and community cultural awareness. Backed by former Mayor, Henry Cisneros, Gene Banks felt it necessary to “Give-Back” to the San Antonio East side of the city, which had been neglected and lacked support for those that lived in that portion of the city. That program had successful outcomes and many were challenged and changed as a result of the program’s presence and participation in the community.

In 1994, Gene developed the Gene Banks League in Greensboro, North Carolina and facilitated its events at the Windsor recreation Center, also on the Eastern side of that city. Basketball was used as the conduit to hook the young people, but the most important aspects of the league were the class room and mentoring sessions. With Gene’s influence along with friends in the NBA and entertainment industry, many supported and gave of their time to the league, without demanding any compensation or appearance fees. Many of Gene’s former Duke Teammates, stars and NBA phenomenon’s, like Charles Oakley, traveled to Greensboro to “Give-Back” to this successful program. Local stars as well gave of their time to support this worthwhile cause. Wayne Robinson (Virginia Tech; Detroit Pistons) Delaney Rudd (Wake Forest; Utah Jazz) Heywood Jeffries (NC State; Houston Oilers) Curly Neal (Dudley H.S; Harlem Globetrotters) are just a few of the locals who lived in the area that came out to support. The goal was to give the youth an outlet and structured organized program that would support their growth and help them understand the importance of respectability of their community and adults.

The Gene Banks League Foundation obtained its nonprofit 501C-3 organized structured programing since 2013. Being awarded a nonprofit status allows The Gene Banks League, which is now officially Federally named “The Gene Banks League Foundation”, to obtain Federal grants and major corporate partnerships to aid in its quest of bringing unity and structure for youth, not just the eastern side of the city, of Greensboro, NC but nationally and internationally. The Gene Banks League has extended its branches not just within the borders of Greensboro, NC, but has reached into other cities like Philadelphia, PA, which is Gene’s home town, New Jersey, Delaware, and even Canada. The acquisition of the nonprofit status, has allowed the league to generate funding in support of all aspects of its program model across multiple states, which is in alignment of Gene’s ultimate vision to reach the masses.

The Mission is to support and give youth required organized structure and teaching of not just being a good athlete, but a solid and productive citizen and to carry what they’ve learned and apply it towards “Striving for Excellence” in education. Gene’s vision is to also partner with existing programs around each city, understand their scope of services and find a means to be supportive through his Brand, and where appropriate, collaborate with these organizations to be a stronger valuable asset to the city. Too many of our youth have strayed down a wayward path of destruction, violence and disrespect. The African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” is our quest, our mantra to see that our youth have the resources and materials needed to succeed. Gene has committed to seeing this become a reality so the goal and the prognosis guarantees productive outcomes, individual and collective successful, and ultimate fulfillment in making the difference in the lives of those we serve.

Too many of our youth are raised without fathers and the incarceration rate has constantly doubled through the years. Education has taken a back seat of being a priority in the household of many homes and the rate of erecting jails has been replaced as the priority. The Gene Banks League Foundation takes a more engaging, hands on approach to mitigating this problem and has developed programs that foster education, self-awareness , self-respect, and self-esteem, providing participants with excellent role models in which to emulate, which again is so needed in our communities.

"It is great to be great, but better to be human in serving your community and mankind."

Gene Banks

My Story

Gene Banks – A Duke Legend

Gene Banks is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a high school scholastic All-American in 1977. The National Writers Association of America voted Gene “Co-National Player of the Year” along with Ervin “Magic” Johnson and his high school team (West Philadelphia High School) was voted “Scholastic USA National Champs” with a record of 30 wins and no loses his senior year. His high school honored him in retiring his number 20 uniform. Gene later chose Duke University over 300 plus universities and colleges in the United States and as a freshman, led them to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship game. While at Duke he led them to two ACC Championships, and was voted All-American his junior and senior year. He finished second all-time in scoring and finished in the top ten of almost every statistical category. He was the ACC Rookie-of-the-Year, ACC First and Second Team and the ACC Scoring League Champion. Gene was voted into the Duke University Sports Hall of Fame and the Duke Wall of Honors. Gene was recently inducted into the ACC Hall of Fame in the Greensboro Coliseum on March 15th, 2014.

Gene received a B.A. degree in History and was the commencement speaker for the Class of 1981’ graduation at Duke University.

Gene was drafted by the NBA San Antonio Spurs (28th Pick) and played four seasons with the Spurs along side Hall of Fame great George “Iceman” Gervin and Artis Gilmore. He scored a career-high 44 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and finished with an average of 15.9 points per game. Gene was later traded to the Chicago Bulls and joined up with the great Michael Jordan, where he was a starter for three seasons and considered one of the best defensive players in the league.

Gene also played and coached over seas for over eight years in countries such as France, Italy, Israel, Peru, Greece, Belgium and Argentina. He developed The Gene Banks League of Greensboro, North Carolina. This league is geared to under-privileged youth, using sports and academics. He had taken up acting and was chosen to play a key role in the movie “Eddie”; starting Whoopi Goldberg. Gene also created the new City Legends of Philadelphia that gears toward supporting past legends, community and city social issues. He has worked as a color commentator for the Fosstone Productions of the HTS National Network and the MEAC conference and created a sports magazine- Carolina Sports in the state of North Carolina. Gene was the NCAA Compliance Officer and Head Women’s Basketball coach at Bluefield State University and then went on to be the Athletic Director and Head Women’s Basketball coach at Bennett College. Gene served as assistant coach and scout, with the NBA Washington Wizards, and is now working on his foundation while scripting his life story which will be titled - “Tinkerbell”.

Watch the Trailer of the Upcoming Gene Banks Story - Coming Soon

"We must all strive for excellence with a deep sense of commitment and passion for values, morals, and love that cultivates integrity and power and which strengthens the lives of those we serve in our children, youth, community, country and world."

Gene Banks

Gene Banks T-Shirts

The Gene Banks League Foundation

Is Proud to offer you an Authenticate

Gene Banks "Duke 20" T-Shirt

Price: $35 Donation - Includes Shipping & Handling

Order Yours TODAY!

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Sponsorship

The Gene Banks League Foundation “GBLF” provides highly skilled and competitive sports league activities focusing on local youth ages 14-20.

The Gene Banks League Foundation was founded on the principles of improving youth development in the game of basketball and to educate and encourage youth and high school athletes to become good community citizens. To “Strive For Excellence” is our motto. This youth sports league creates more opportunities for teams to compete on a larger scale and develops team and individual skills necessary to play at the high school, college and even professional levels.

Most importantly, the GBLF enables student athletes to improve and grow physically, socially, culturally, and emotionally, opening doors to yet more opportunities. The exposure received as a participant in the program is tremendous. The GBLF will host over 4 basketball tournaments per year in Philadelphia, Greensboro and in other local, regional, and national markets for the coming season. The vital piece of the tournaments is to have in-depth class room sessions with guest speakers from the NBA, WNBA, NCAA and other governing organizations. With an anticipation of over 500 participants, we invite you to help us shape and mode the lives of these young people in a most profound way.

Sponsorships with Philadelphia and Greensboro branches of the Gene Banks League Foundation are unique partnering opportunities for businesses and corporations. When sponsoring with us we will do everything in our power to maximize your business exposure and match your company with a diverse family target audience.

Some sponsorship benefits for your business include exposure to a broad customer base, product exposure, and the outward display of supporting the community. As a sponsor your logo will be included in event marketing and promotional materials like flyers, uniforms, t-shirts, banners, signs, etc.

Moreover, your business will be mentioned in numerous media releases. The possibilities are endless!

Please contact our league management at your earliest convenience, so that we can discuss tailoring a sponsorship plan to meet your needs.

Thank you very much for your consideration. We hope to hear from you soon.

Sponsorship Package Options

Premier Basketball Tournament Sponsor

Your company, business, or individual will be the main sponsor for the Gene Banks League Foundation Summer Youth Basketball Camp

Basketball Tournament series. This is our most exclusive sponsorship opportunity.
You will be the exclusive event sponsor with many benefits in exchange for your great commitment to our tournament series.

What your company, business, or individual receives:

Prominent positioning on all tournament apparel (t-shirts, sweatshirts) and all print, web, and electronic advertising and collateral materials including event posters, flyers, other merchandise, and other

promotional items.

Company name/logo on our 4’10” x 2’11’’ banner posted during every game.

Silver medals with your company name on them for all individual tournament runner ups.

Name recognition over P.A. system at tournaments and events.

Recognition Plaque and event invitations.

Total Cost: $700.00

Silver Sponsorship
Your company, business, or individual will be a Silver Sponsor for the Gene Banks League Foundation Summer Youth Basketball Camp

Basketball Tournament series.

What your company, business, or individual receives:

Company name on all apparel (t-shirt, sweatshirts)

Company name/logo on our 4’10” x 2’11’’ banner posted during every game.

Your company name/logo on homepage of the Gene Banks League Foundation website with link to your website.

Your company name/logo in all print marketing materials.

Opportunity to donate promotional items.

Name recognition over P.A. system at tournaments and events.

Recognition Plaque and event invitations.

Total cost: $500.00

Bronze Sponsorship

Your company, business, or individual will be a Bronze Sponsor for Gene Banks League Foundation Summer Youth Basketball Camp

Basketball Tournament series.

What your company, business, or individual receives:

Company name on all apparel (t-shirts, sweatshirts).

Company name/logo on our 4’10” x 2’11’’ banner posted during every game.

Your company name/logo on homepage of the Gene Banks League Foundation website with link to your website.

Opportunity to donate promotional items.

Name recognition over P.A. system at tournaments and events.

Recognition certificate and event invitations.

Total Cost: $300.00

**Sponsorship packages can be tailored to your specific marketing needs.
Sponsorships make a huge difference to our community events and will open doors for your company to connect with a diverse, family-based audience, producing positive results.